Alexis Politz is a Minneapolis-based queer freelance illustrator and designer. Normally, they work with bands, businesses, and organizations on logos, apparel, and print materials. Alexis was chosen this year to design Metro Transit’s Pride Bus, which will be out through the end of June and featured in the Twin Cities Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28.
Here, we asked Alexis to talk a bit about their background and what it was like using a bus as a canvas. Learn more about Alexis’ work on their website.
How did you get involved in illustration/design?
I’ve been an artist since I was a child, but didn’t know I could have a career as an illustrator until I started applying for colleges. Up to that point, I assumed I had to be a graphic designer to make any kind of real money in the creative world, so finding out I could draw for a living was exciting.
In 2013, I moved here from Dallas, Texas, to go to the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. While learning more about design and illustration there, I started drawing things for my friends' DIY bands and stumbled my way through creating album layouts and eventually merch designs.
School helped me explore and develop my skillset, but working on projects outside of school landed me where I am today. I’ve been working with bands and organizations ever since, and now I’m starting a tattoo apprenticeship after freelancing and working various design jobs for 13 years.
A bus is a pretty unique canvas. Can you talk a little bit about your process?
For years, I worked with really intricate album layouts and templates, which prepared me for potentially the coolest, biggest template ever -- this BUS!
I started by researching historical LGBT+ places and routes between Minneapolis and St. Paul. Once I had some scenes locked in, I researched photos of couples and groups of people to sketch. I changed their appearances and clothes to reflect the LGBT+ communities here in Minneapolis, pulling pieces from my own friends and chosen family while being cognizant of communities that often get left out.
Once I had everything sketched out in Photoshop, I brought it into Illustrator, started blocking out areas of color for the background, and lining the people so they popped out more.
What’s it like seeing this bus out in the community?
So cool! Seeing it in person versus a small computer screen made it feel really real after working on it for a couple months! I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from strangers and friends. It's truly one of the best projects I’ve ever gotten to work on and I'm very thankful.
What are some of your favorite routes, and what do you enjoy most about transit?
I often use the light rail and ride the METRO D Line to get to the airport since I live in North Minneapolis. Everyone’s ridden Route 2 at some point. I’m also thankful for the routes that connect inter-ring suburbs to the city.
The best part about taking transit is feeling like you are participating in the world for only $2. You get to take your time getting from A to B, which helps you notice all the corners of your city. I also like that you can read and get to your destination at the same time. I’m so glad Minneapolis has decent public transit for a medium-sized city.